I usually work with people when they are wanting their dog to learn how to do something, either a specific skill or a different behavioural response.  To teach our dogs what to do, we commonly use food or treats.  Once our dogs understand the skill, and can perform it in a variety of environments around different distractions, we can start to reduce the use of treats.  Here are some things to consider.

Can your dog perform the desired skill consistently, to the level you want?
If not, your dog hasn't fully learned the new skill, and their performance is unlikely to improve if you stop rewarding their efforts.  First, we need to get the behaviour reliably.

Can your dog perform the desired skill consistently, in the face of distractions?
Ideally we teach the skill in a low distraction setting, and then once the dog can respond consistently, introduce distractions strategically so that the dog can succeed in the face of the distraction, growing their confidence and ability to respond even when other things are going on.
Some distractions to consider:

• Treats, in a covered container, in an uncovered container
• Toys, sitting somewhere, you holding it, you tossing it, you squeaking it, you dropping it on the ground
• Other people talking, walking, sitting down & standing up

And they exist, because there is a relatable truth inherent in them, even if somewhat exaggerated.
Adolescent dogs often

• have the highest energy levels, higher than they did as a puppy and will as an adult
• seek out novel things, and have an increased interest in their surroundings
• are impulsive
• have big feelings 
• experience changing social dynamics
• may experience fear periods (no consensus on that currently)

Why?
Because adolescence is the time that they are experiencing sexual maturity, but haven't yet reached social maturity.  Their brains aren't fully mature yet, and are undergoing a tremendous amount of neuronal growth and pruning as they experiment with new behaviours and investigate their world.